TV Tube Maker Philips Will Close

Published 8:00 pm, Thursday, January 10, 2002

A plant that makes television picture tubes will close at the end of the year, putting 1,200 people out of work.

About 300 jobs that were expected to remain at the plant will now move to Mexico, Philips Display Components told workers Thursday.

Philips, a subsidiary of Philips Electronics, announced in April 2000 that it was moving nearly all production to Mexico by sometime next year, but that it would keep production of its jumbo picture tubes in Ottawa. On Thursday they said they would shut down the entire plant.

Philips spokesman Cordell Barker said the company is doing what it needs to stay profitable.

"What we're doing is really no different than what most of our competitors have already done," he said.

The company in December opened its new plant in Mexico, which will have about 2,000 workers by 2003.

Layoffs in Ottawa, which is about 60 miles south of Toledo, could begin as early as July or August, Andrews said.

There is still some hope that another business will use the plant.

"They're in discussions with the union to look at what kind of businesses can be created or brought into the Ottawa facility," Barker said.

Workers at the plant earn an average of $14 per hour.

Philips began operating the plant in 1981 after buying it from GTE Sylvania. Previously, it had employed 1,800 workers and was by far the biggest employer in Putnam County.